Gaiam, Inc. (Nasdaq: GAIA), a lifestyle media company, reported increased revenue and profit for 1Q08.
Revenue increased 11.5% to $65.2 million from $58.5 million in 1Q07. Revenue for Gaiam’s direct to consumer segment increased 13.8% to $38.8 million. Revenue for Gaiam’s business segment increased 8.2% to $26.4 million.
Gross profit increased to $41.0 million, or 62.9% of revenue, from $37.5 million, or 64.1% of revenue, in the comparable period last year. The change in gross margin reflects the company’s investment in the lower margin solar business.
Operating income for 1Q08 increased 64.1% to $2.7 million, or 4.1% of revenue, compared to $1.6 million, or 2.8% of revenue for 1Q07.
Interest income was $0.5 million for 1Q08 compared to $1.1 million during 1Q07, reflecting Gaiam’s repurchase of 2.5 million shares of its common stock and the decline in average interest rates received on its cash investments from 5.18% as of March 31, 2007 to 2.37% at March 31, 2008.
Net income increased 26.3% to $2.2 million, compared to net income of $1.8 million for the first quarter a year ago. Earnings per share increased 28.6% to $0.09 per share from $0.07 per share in 1Q07.
During the first quarter, Gaiam increased its branded store-within-store presentations to over 7,100 retail doors, up from 6,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2007, and grew its number of overall retail doors to 71,000 as of March 2008.
During the first quarter, Gaiam completed its strategy in international markets to change to licensing arrangements by disposing of the company’s ownership in its U.K. subsidiary. The transition from sales of products to licensing arrangements is expected to improve profitability, reduce complexity of operations, lower capital requirements and limit the impact of the weakness of U.S. currency. This change is expected to reduce reported international revenue by approximately $25.7 million, from $33.7 million recognized in 2007 to approximately $8 million in 2008. International license fees typically average between 20-25% of product revenues.
During the first quarter, Gaiam acquired SPRI Products, Carlson Solar, and the remaining 49.9% ownership in Conscious Enlightenment. The acquisition of SPRI expands Gaiam’s distribution into the professional fitness market and the acquisition of Carlson Solar extended the solar division’s geographic reach in Southern California.
Last week, Gaiam’s solar subsidiary, Real Goods Solar, Inc. priced its $55 million initial public offering of Class A common stock. Approximately $20 million of the net proceeds will be repaid to Gaiam for loans provided to the Real Goods Solar business. In the offering, Real Goods Solar sold 5.5 million shares at $10 per share. Post-offering, Gaiam owns 10 million shares or approximately 65% of Real Goods and in excess of 80% of Real Goods’ voting power.
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